Electric switch



Feb. 3, 1931- c. E. HANNY 1,791,465

I ELECTRIC SWITCH I Filed Jan. 15, 1930 5 Sheets$heet l INVENTOR Feb 3, 1931. c. E. HANNY 1,791,465

ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Jan. 15, 1930 5 Sheets-shet 2 Fig. 3-

IIIIIINIWI Feb. 3, 1931. c. E. HANNY 1,791,465

ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Jan. 15, 1930 SSheets-Sheet s INVENTOR PJI Patented Feb. 3, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CHARLES E. HANNY, 01" UNIONVILLE CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE TRUMBULL ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF PLAINV'ILLE, CONNECTICUT, A COR- PORATION OF CONNECTICUT ELECTRIC SWITCH Application filed January 15, 1930. Serial No. 420,925.

The particular object of my invention is to provide a rugged double-throw switch having spring means for moving the switch blades to the oil' or neutral position.

Another object is to provide a simple double-throw switch having spring means for securely holding the switch blades in the off or neutral position.

Another object is to provide simple spring means which will quickly break the circuit when the switch blades are manually released from the stationary contacts.

Another object is to provide a quick-break means for a switch construction in which the movable blades are rigidly connected to a manually operable handle so as to insure positive movement of the blades independently of the quick-break means.

Another object is to provide a quick-break switch which may be normally operated by a blow or a push of the flat of the operators hand.

Another object is to provide a doublethrow switch construction having the aforementioned characteristics and which is am usually simple, cheap, sturdy, easily assembled and eflicient in service.

Another object is to provide a double-throw switch of the character particularly adapted to panelboard installations.

The embodiment herein shown is an improvement on the construction of the Getchell Patent #1,483,846 dated February 12, 1924. Although closely resembling the operation of this patent, my present invention will be found to be more rugged and particularly adapted for heavier work and the distinction will be pointed out hereinafter.

Fig. 1 is a side View of a switch embodying my invention, the movable switch member being shown in the open circuit position.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section and side view showing the switch in one of its closed circuit positions.

Fig. 3 is an end view showing the parts in the open circuit position.

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view. Fig. 5 is an end elevation of a modification particularly adapted to the regular doublethrow switch in which the hinge posts are separately mounted on the base.

Fig. 6 is a side view of the same.

Such constructions are ordinarily mounted upon an insulating block or panel 6 and include upper and lower contacts or jaws 7 and 8 which may be of any suitable form of circuit terminal.

Intermediate these contacts 7 and 8' is located a'standard or bracket secured to the base by screws 9. This bracket consists in theform shown of pairs of posts 10 and 11 secured to a plate 12 in any suitable manner.

The movable switch member has two blades 13 and 14 and is pivotally supported between the posts 10 and 11 by a shaft 15. Between the posts 1111 is an insulating block 16 held in place by the shaft or bolt 15.

The handle 17 preferably of insulating material is connected to the movable switch blades by means of the shank l8and the insulating cross bar 19. For convenience in manufacture the switch blades are connected to the insulating cross bar 19 by means of plates 20 riveted at 21 to the arms 22 of the switch blades and the plates 20 are connected to the cross bar 19 by having their shanks extend through the cross bar and riveted at 23. In a similar manner the shank 18 is secured to the cross bar 19 by plates 24 so as to provide a rigid connection between the handle and the movableswitch'blades and yet completely insulate the metallic shank 18 from the switch blades.

The operation of the switch parts thus far described will be obvious. Preferably I provide loosepins orrivets 25'to serve as stops for the blades 13 and 14 when closing the switch.

The throwing mechanism includes two insulatin bars 26 and 27 arranged on opposite sides 0 the insulating block 16 and between the opposite parts of the switch blades. These two bars are pulled toward each other by a spring 28 which extends through the bars 26 and through the block 16, the ends of the spring being anchored by cross pins such as 29." From an inspection of Fig. 2 it will be seen that the spring 28 is pulling upon the bar 27 which in turn presses against the cross bar 19 and the handle member and tends to throw the handle member to the off posi tion. The friction of contact jaws 8 upon the blades lei however is suflicient to hold the switch in the closed circuit position until the handle is moved upwardly far enough to release the blades 14 from the restraining grip of the jaws 8.

As soon as this release occurs the spring 28 throws the handle to the off or open circuit position. It will be seen that the insulating bar 27 acts as a throwing lever whose fulcrum 30 is at the base 12 of the supporting bracket.

Movement of the handle 17 in the opposite direction to that shown in Fig. 2 is of course resisted by the spring 28 as the cross bar 19 enclosed the other end of the bar 26 and rocks this bar about its fulcrum 31.

In the form illustrated in Fig. 5, it will be seen that the supporting posts and 30 are spaced apart and separately secured to the base 37 as shown in the Getchell patent. The movable switch blades 38 and 39 are connected by the insulating cross bar 40 to which is secured the operating handle 41. The cradle 42 is suitably secured to the base between the posts 35 and 36 and affords abutments for the two bars 43 and 4 1 which are drawn toward each other by the spring 45. The upper ends of these bars press against the cross bar 40 and the action is substantially the same as the form previously described.

It will be seen that the construction herein set forth is of a simple character and yet capable of embodiment in many forms. My reason of the construction and arrangement of the parts it is possible to secure powerful leverage action without unduly straining the parts.

I claim:

1. A quick-break switch including stationary oppositely disposed spring jaws, a pivoted switch member mounted between said jaws and having a handle extending outwardly for manual operation and having an abutment between the handle and the hinge point, a post affording hinge support to said switch member and lever members coacting with opposite sides of said post, said switch being provided with an abutment at its base and a spring connecting said lever members.

2. A switch including an insulating base, spring jaws supported by said base, a doublethrow switch member hinged to said base between said jaws and having an abutment member, said base having an abutment member and spring pressed levers coasting with opposite sides of said abutment for holding said switch member yieldingly in its open position. I

3. in a panel board switch, a base, a pair of posts secured thereto, a double throw switch member pivoted to said posts and having a projecting handle, a pair of rocking bars mounted on opposite sides of said posts and having fulcrum points near the base, an abutment carried by said switch member and interposed between the outer ends of said bars and a spring connecting said bars.

4. In a switch, a base, posts secured thereto, 

